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Brooklands Cove

Ofsted: Strong standard·
5.0(3 Google reviews) ·5th Potters Bar Scout Headquarters, King George V Playing Fields, Potters Bar, EN6 3BN · Hertfordshire
Number of places
20 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2026
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Brooklands Cove is a childcare setting located in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, which successfully transitioned from a childminding setting to its current premises at the 5th Potters Bar Scout Headquarters. Registered with Ofsted on 28 May 2024, the day nursery maintains an open and positive safeguarding culture, ensuring children feel safe and secure.

Leaders are committed to continuous improvement, demonstrating a deep understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for development. They thoughtfully adapt their engagement with parents and carers, actively encouraging attendance at stay-and-play sessions to foster strong partnerships.

The setting provides a calm, nurturing, and positive environment where children thrive, benefiting from consistently reinforced routines that help them move confidently through their day. Staff expertly support children's emotional regulation and independence, using visual prompts and focused small-group interventions for those with additional needs.

Children make significant progress in communication and language, developing social skills and confidence. The curriculum is ambitious, building on children's existing knowledge and supporting their development through a broad range of sensory, creative, and outdoor activities, ensuring high levels of concentration and engagement.

The setting prides itself on its inclusive approach, with staff proactively seeking relevant training and collaborating with external professionals to strengthen practice. Leaders also prioritise staff wellbeing, providing regular supervision, mentoring, and emotional support to ensure a positive working environment.

Our ethos

Brooklands Cove is dedicated to nurturing young minds through child-led learning. They focus on diverse play opportunities, outdoor exploration, and real-life experiences to foster curiosity and development in a stimulating environment.

What it's like

Children are happy and confident at this welcoming and inclusive setting, settling in quickly and enthusiastically exploring the environment. They behave very well, understanding routines and demonstrating positive attitudes to learning. Children benefit from a curriculum that follows their interests, encouraging exploration and independence through a broad range of sensory and creative experiences.

Strong routinesNurturing environmentEffective safeguardingInclusive practiceAmbitious curriculum

Pricing & funding

Nursery charges per session on either a 46-week full year or 38-week term time contract, with a minimum attendance of two sessions per week. Private fees are annualised into equal monthly payments and include meals, drinks, nappies, wipes, bedding, and milk.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Minimum booking of 2 sessions per week is required.
  • Non-funded contracts require a deposit equal to 50% of monthly fees, credited to the final invoice.
  • Fully funded spaces do not require a deposit.
  • Private fees are annualised into equal monthly payments.
  • A voluntary hourly contribution covers the all-inclusive package of meals and consumables for funded sessions.
  • Fees are reviewed annually, with a minimum of one month's notice for any increases.

Key facts

Session types

Full Day: 7am - 5pm, Short Day: 8:30am - 3:30pm, Half Day: 7:00am - 12:00pm, Funded Only Half Day Session: 9am-12pm, Funded Only Full Day Session: 9am-3pm

Food

Breakfast, lunch, tea, and snacks are included in full-day sessions; lunch and snacks in short-day and funded full-day sessions; breakfast, morning snack, and lunch in half-day and funded half-day sessions. For non-funded contracts, the full package includes meals, snacks, drinks, nappies, bedding, wipes, and milk (including formula up to 1 year).

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 07:00 - 17:00

Age range

9 months to 5 years

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected May 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Brooklands Cove

Last inspected 8 May 2026

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and confident at this welcoming and inclusive setting, settling in quickly and enthusiastically exploring the environment. They behave very well, understanding routines and demonstrating positive attitudes to learning. Children benefit from a curriculum that follows their interests, encouraging exploration and independence through a broad range of sensory and creative experiences.

Inspector highlights

  • Safeguarding standards are met, with leaders fulfilling their responsibilities and establishing an open culture.
  • Leaders establish a calm, nurturing, and positive environment where children understand expectations and behave well.
  • Families feel involved in nursery life through regular updates and stay-and-play sessions.
  • Children collaborate effectively, share resources, and play cooperatively.
  • Children have strong attachments with their key persons, and relationships are thoughtfully nurtured.
  • Children benefit from regular physical activity and outdoor learning opportunities.
  • Children with additional needs receive timely and carefully planned support.
  • Leaders have managed the transition from a childminding setting to a nursery successfully.
  • Children develop communication and language skills and express themselves confidently.
  • The curriculum is ambitious and meets the learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should continue to support all staff to strengthen the quality of interactions to consistently support children's learning and development.
  • 2Leaders should develop the curriculum even further to deepen children's understanding of the diverse world and mathematical language.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with additional needs receive timely and carefully planned support, including swift referrals and targeted support to ensure early intervention. Staff use adapted interactions and supportive strategies, such as visual prompts, and utilise early years pupil premium funding for resources like a speech and language toolkit.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from regular physical activity and outdoor learning opportunities, with leaders planning local trips to parks, woods, and shops to extend children's experiences. All children regularly access outdoor experiences.

EAL / language support

Children who face barriers to learning receive timely and carefully planned support, with staff consistently identifying and assessing individual needs early on.

Google Reviews of Brooklands Cove

5.0
(3 Google reviews)
Alison Snook
5 years ago

We are so happy with Brooklands Cove, it's a wonderful, friendly environment. The meals are all home made and there is a theme to each weeks learning but it's not restrictive. We get a daily report so we know what she's been up to and a development review each term. Grace is super responsive and very approachable. I have full confidence in leaving my little girl with her and most importantly though my little girl loves being there with her friends.

Read on Google
Jodie Simmons
5 years ago

My little boy started at Brooklands Cove back in January this year and I am so pleased with the care and support he receives. The personal touch is amazing and every day my son comes home he has learnt something new. I would absolutely recommend Brooklands Cove, it is such a relief to know your child is safe and in good hands when you have to take that scary step of returning to work.

Read on Google
Clarissa Behal
5 years ago

We have been using Brooklands Cove as our childcare setting for the last 8 months. Grace (and others) presently care for our 2 children who are 1 and 4 years old for 2 days per week. Having previously used only nurseries for childcare for our eldest, we were initially concerned about whether a childminder setting would be sufficiently structured however Grace is a truly amazing childminder. She clearly has a passion for the job and a genuine interest in child development/behaviour. She has always made herself available to discuss any concerns about the children. The days are structured and what we particularly love is how much outdoor time the children both have. Both of the children are thriving and love their days with Grace and the rest of the group (Grace works from her parents property and they too are lovely, kind people/Faye/Mia- the whole group are wonderful.) We could not recommend this setting more.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Brooklands Cove. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

8 May 2026

Strong standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more